Kumho Ecsta 4x size in oem rims 05 sxt

[NachtRitter84]

Saw a post a long time ago before the dB loss about this but can’t find it now. I think the size I was looking at was 205-55-15. It’s an 05 SXT with stock wheels and I’m looking for a bit better grip and handling in fast corners on my daily driver used for deliveries. I don’t want to bother messing with the speedometer cable and the old post I’d read mentioned that this size kept the speedometer dead on with the different size and fit stock where fine. Can anybody confirm the size for me, or advise if that size isn’t the right one?

[occasional demons]

The ideal overall tire height is 603mm (23.740") for all non-SRT vehicles. Use the following pre-calculated tire sizing chart to see which common tire size is best for your application. Keep in mind, every 5mm is approximatly 0.20".

15" wheel
185/60/15 = 603mm (stock)
195/60/15 = 615mm
195/55/15 = 595.5mm
205/55/15 = 606.5mm
205/50/15 = 586mm
215/50/15 = 596mm
215/55/15 = 617.5mm
225/45/15 = 583.5mm
225/50/15 = 606mm

viewtopic.php?f=53&t=16337

I ran 195 55 15 snow tires without any problems, but they are a bit shorter.

I run 205 50 16's which are taller, and have no rubbing and the speedometer is closer to what the GPS says.

205 50 16 = 611.4mm

But actual tire sizes can vary from the math.

[NachtRitter84]

I wouldn’t mind swapping the wheels out for 16s if I can find stock looking ones. Trying to keep the sleeper look on it since it amuses me to no end to smoke glass pack civics in my atx while I’m on the job. I do a lot of ‘whip n grip’ turns(sharp turn, tap the brake, hammer the gas down to pull into the turn) so I need to keep traction in that better than the 185s do in wet conditions(I live in the pnw so lots of rain, occasional light snow, complete with idiot drivers afraid of 1/4” of snow like it’s the most terrifying thing ever). Do you have a specific recommendation for tires in the 15/16 range within those parameters? If 16s, possibly a wheel replacement suggestion that keeps the stock look?

[NachtRitter84]

Looking at that chart the 205/55/15 seems really close to stock with only a 3mm difference. Would the much wider tire be a better grip on cornering in wet conditions or am I do fused on how that works?

[occasional demons]

Probably not enough width difference to really impact things.

Depending on the tread design, and amount of wear, it might make hydroplaning happen slightly sooner.

The only two things that seriously impact tire grip is deep water, slush, snow, and tread wear. Just wet pavement will make a difference, but you really have to be pushing the boundaries, unless the tires are nearly bald.

Common sense for the most part, will keep you in your lane.

A good suspension that limits body roll, and brake diving will probably do far more for handing and braking than a few mm of tire patch.

[jonnymopar]

Just to throw it out there, I ran the exact tire in question: Kumho Ecsta 4X 205/55R15 on my Neon for years and loved it. The tread design will provide you the extra grip more than the width will. I'm currently running the same tire in a 16" size on a different car. You're not going to get 50k miles out of these tires, but for the money, they are great IMO.